Reactor Introduction Timeline?

[ckrhone]

I put in place my reactor yesterday and I am also following, with some guidance from UR, the Fauna Marin website. Now having read several threads on this regarding DSB's and the additional time to see things working, and only wanting to get things going very slowly so that conditions are easier to monitor and control, but are there any thoughts on how long it could possibly be before there are any noticeable changes in nitrates and other parameters in the aquarium?

Regards,



Chris

[Reef Encounters]

Hi Chris,

to give you an idea it dropped our nitrates from 100+ to 25 in 7 days!
we didn't run any dsb's/refugiums so can't comment although from anecdotal evidence from customers around the 10 day mark saw an effect on the algae in the refugiums.

[Ducati916]

wow thats impressive

did you run with the reactor from day one or start with Bak etc first, i have high no3 and have been using bak and min-s without a reactor for a 11 days and havent noticed any reduction in no3, although the water is very clear and i have no cyno.

i have live rock and a skimmer only..

cheers

[Marc Foord]

ducati

are you using the ultralith media as well though ?

[Ducati916]

not yet mate but im thinking about adding it now. i was told to start with the bak and Min first and im dosing 3ml of each daily on a 1400ltr system. ive got to say my tank looks in superb shape but i have no3 at around 80-100 but dont seem to have any side effects from it, but i hope to shift it using the FM products.

i may pick up 4ltrs of min and put it in a basket in the sump untill i can get a reactor..

cheers

[Marc Foord]

there was another thread where someone only reported decent action on nitrate reduction when the ultralith was bought on board. the FM 'half system' is just the media in a net bag in the sump in good flow, which is what i'm running with - so far so good......:)

[Ducati916]

yeah could be worth me doing that, ive herd some people are using plastic baskets with holes in and sat in the sump and filled with lithe.

have you had a drop in nitrates with the lithe.

[Marc Foord]

yes, look to have had - mine have been stuck somewhere between 25 and 50 on the salifert, but now look closer to the 10 mark (although hard to tell with the colours on the test kit!) :dance:

[Twistedpro]

i would say u could up your dose iam dosing 2ml per day on my 350l system. 3ml on 1400lt is not much. i would run the stones also

[Ducati916]

yes im dosing a minium amount and have thought about uping it a bit, although i did have had a fine white film settle on the glass the other day..

[Reef Encounters]

Hi Ducati,

in answer to your question, yes we ran the ultralith from the start in a grotech reactor.
Look for about 1litre of ultralith per 100 gallons, building up over a period of a couple weeks to a month.
We change approx 10-20% every 2months(ish)
If you have a large tank we have the 2.5l and 5l tubs in stock which makes it more economical

[Ducati916]

yeah i will need 4ltrs for my system, and the large reactor if i go down that route..


had a look on your website, cool pictures in the gallery, couldnt see the FM products though whats the cost of a 5ltr lithe.??, may have a drive over and see you..

cheers

[Reef Encounters]

Hi,

the FM range is in additives and treatments, we will be shortly adding a dedicated Fauna Section to the site.

The 5litre tubs are not listed on the site, I will get a price for you when in the shop tommorrow.

here's the links to make it easier;
http://www.reef-encounters.net/70160/info.php?p=2&pno=1&cat=29710&sought=
http://www.reef-encounters.net/70160/info.php?p=2&cat=32001

and link for the complete setup we do (additives,media and reactor)

http://www.reef-encounters.net/70160/info.php?p=2&cat=29659

Good Luck and keep us updated!

Your more than welcome to pop over and see us free coffee anytime!!!!

[ckrhone]

Now that I have the following products, is there anything else I will require as part of my system?
Ultra-MinS
Ultra-Bak
Ultra-Bio
Ultra-Oragnics which arrived this morning - Thanks Darren!

I am watching closely the other thread about bleaching you see and I am reluctant to increase my dosing until I am confident that I can rectify any issues that may arise.

Wish I could see a system that has been using this system for real but I am out on a limb here in lincolnshire - Mention Ultralith and you get looked at like an alien!

Chris

[Reef Encounters]

No problem Chris!!

What you have is the staple part of the system.
We sometimes dose the Ultamin on food to boost immunity of fish, and have played with the clam and dendro feeds but these are add ons for specialists feeding systems.

regards

[Ducati916]

i added the Lithe today, for now its in a container with the overflow from the tank and also from the Rowaphos reactor runing straight down on to it, but ill most probley add a Grotec reactor pretty soon..

when should i start to add the ultr-Bio

ps Chris i visited reef encounters today and there show tank is running on FM products and a Grotec reactor, defo one of the best show tanks ive seen all looked very healthy and great colours on the sps etc..

[ckrhone]

That sounds great.

I added the Ultra Bio straight away, 2 drops per 100 litres. I have been ading mine daily now since Tuesday aswell as the Ultra-Min and Ultra Bac. I did a sneak water test on Wednesday to set the level of nitrates as it were and tested again this evening. And do you know what...... they are already creeping downwards albeit very slowly. On Wednesday they were at defo 12.5ppm and are now below that as the coluration on the card is becoming more yellow (Tetra test).

I am doing a water change tomorrow as part of my fortnightly overhaul/maintenance so would expect things to improve further over the next week.

I have pm'd Darren about a coral he has in stock too this evening - I want it so badly to replace one I lost to take pride of place in my tank.

I am only adding the absolute minimum dose too by the way, just for peace of miind and to keep control over reduction in nutrients.

Fingers crossed and look forward to hearing how you get along too with the FM stuff! So far so good eh?!

[Ducati916]

i was hopeing to meet Darren today but he had poped out, i did pick up 5ltrs of Lithe though. wish i had got the Bio while i was there too..i drove 20 miles up the road on my way home and realised i forgot to pick up some Rowaphos too..lol

[ckrhone]

Now you have an excuse to go back and make yet more purchases! lol

[Ducati916]

thats true....

[ckrhone]

Does the Ultrlith system strip out Mg too?? I seem to be chucking the stuff in on a daily basis now just to get back up to 1300 ppm from 1260ppm.

Chris